Kartik Purnima in Amritsar

Date and timing in Amritsar

Kartik Purnima falls on the full moon of the lunar month of Kartik. For Amritsar, the tithi is reckoned from local sunrise, so the date below is the one that applies to the city itself, in the Asia/Kolkata time zone.

• 2026: Tuesday 24 November 2026
• 2027: Sunday 14 November 2027

On this day, Shiva and Vishnu are both honoured, and the observance is widely known as Dev Deepawali. The festival is observed across India, and Amritsar keeps the same tithi as the rest of the country while following its own sunrise for the calculation.

Why the date can differ from India

A panchang is a local document. The tithi is a span of the moon's movement, and the day it is assigned to depends on where and when the sun rises. Amritsar's sunrise is later than sunrise in the east of the country, so the window in which the tithi is judged can begin at a different moment. When a tithi is close to a boundary, that difference is enough to shift the observance by a day in some cities and not in others.

This is why a single all-India date and a city date can disagree without either being wrong. It is also why traditions differ. North Indian calendars commonly reckon the lunar month as purnimanta, ending at the full moon, while South Indian calendars commonly use amanta, ending at the new moon. Smarta and Vaishnava households may also place the emphasis on different portions of the day. For a personal chart or a family custom, it is best to consult a qualified jyotishi rather than to assume one rule fits all.

Where and how the community celebrates

Kartik Purnima is a pan-India observance, and in Amritsar it is kept in homes and neighbourhoods rather than at any single named venue. Devotees rise before sunrise, bathe, and offer light and prayer. Lamps are lit in the evening, which is the heart of Dev Deepawali. Many observe a fast or take a simple meal, and some keep a vigil through the night. The day is associated with Shiva and with Vishnu, so households may follow either emphasis according to their own tradition.

Practical tips

• Check a local Amritsar panchang for the exact sunrise and tithi window on the day, since the city's own sunrise governs the date.
• Confirm whether your family follows purnimanta or amanta reckoning before deciding which day to observe.
• Plan lamp-lighting for the evening, and keep the morning bath and prayer simple and unhurried.
• If you are fasting, follow your usual practice and consult a doctor about any health concerns.
• For personal guidance, speak with a qualified jyotishi rather than relying on a general city date.